Commonly planted as a sacred tree in Shiva temples in India. A fallen tree is never used for firewood; though fruits are highly valued by people, the people of Kerala never eat it, as it signifies the head of Shiva.

In the traditional practice of the Hindu and Buddhist religions by Newari culture of Nepal, the bael tree is part of a fertility ritual for girls known as the Bel baha. Girls are married to the bael fruit; as long as the fruit is kept safe and never cracks, the girl can never become widowed, even if her human husband dies. This is seen to be protection against the social disdain suffered by widows in the Newari community.

Identification guide

General

This is a tree that grows from 2.4 to 4.6 meters tall, with a dense spiny growth.

2) Global distribution: India and Sri Lanka; widely cultivated in South East Asia, Malesia, Tropical Africa and the United States

Edible parts

World wide use: Root, bark, fruits, flowers.

Used by tribal community in Jawhar: Fruits and Leaves

Method of consumption

Jawhar tribal

Riped fruits are directly consumed or added in Sharbat.

Other Recipe

If fresh, the juice is strained and sweetened to make a drink similar to lemonade. It can be made into sharbat/Bela pana, a refreshing drink made of the pulp with water, sugar, and lime juice, mixed, left to stand a few hours, strained, and put on ice.

It is usually sliced and sun-dried. The hard leathery slices are then immersed in water.